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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-16 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Tuesday, July 16, 2013 5:00 p.m. City Council Chambers MINUTES Council Members: Blanchette, Civiello, Nealley, Durgin, Baldacci, Longo, Sprague Staff: Farrar, Conlow, Hathaway, Nicklas, Wardwell Others: Rachel White and other French Street Residents 1. Justice Assistance Grant Application. This is a grant that the Police Department routinely applies for normally in conjunction with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department. Staff recommends approval. Chief Hathaway stated we share this grant with the Sheriff’s office. It will be put towards patrol issues for example replacing a rifle, 2 taser units and upgrading firearm protection items. Councilor Longo moved staff recommendation, seconded by Councilor Blanchette and approved. 2. Update/Discussion – Council Ordinance 13-180, Prohibiting Feeding of Animals and Birds so as to Create a Disturbance or Unsanitary Condition. Councilor Blanchette has requested a brief discussion with the Committee to review the interpretation/application of the Ordinance. Councilor Blanchette brought all up to speed on the Drew Lane/Bangor Garden issues and the possible cause of unsanitary/unsafe conditions. Asst. City Solicitor Paul Nicklas stated one problem had been taken care of with the Bangor Garden gentleman with a friend purchasing him a bird feeder. The Drew Lane issues seem to have been taken care of with this Ordinance. The Code Office has received no further complaints since the Ordinance has been enacted. There was no action necessary as this was an update. 3. Proposal to Consider Making French Street One-Way from South Park Street to Somerset Street. The City recently enacted on Ordinance prohibiting parking on the westerly side of French Street from Cumberland Avenue to Garland Street. This change and an ensuing parking problem resulted in further discussion concerning the narrowness of French Street. A suggestion was made to consider making French Street one-way, and the Committee asked that this be scheduled on the agenda for public input and comment. Asst. City Manager Farrar brought all up to speed in regards to the French/Garland Street parking problems. The owner of the home that brought this issue to Council, has since sold the home to John Bapst High School. The overall consensus of remaining residents has strongly suggested to leave the parking and traffic flow the way it is now. Councilor Sprague made a motion to keep French Street as it is without the proposed change to one way. French Street resident, Rachel White, wanted to be sure that all know that if this is revisited again, that the reason why things were decided the way they were, was for safety reasons, not convenience. Adjourned at 5:20 p.m.